Cooling apparatus



Oct. 27, 1953 c. M. NICHOLS COOLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27. 1950 lm lll l l l ITIII IIIIII IIII I ll n lllllll llllli ll l m l l l l l llnx A 1-- #5-- i--- --i- -i:-- f i-- 1.|lh.].i-i-- 1| H IA W \l- W W 7 I A W Gttorneg Oct. 27, 1953 c. M. NICHOLS 2,657,036

COOLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 (v, b (\2 Zmventor a) C/zarZes/M Nichols attorney Oct. 27, 1953 c. M. NICHOLS COOLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 27. 1950 \III I I l l n \IIIIIPIJ v lmventor Y mm- CJQIZGJ M A da/101 Mtomeg Patented Oct. 27, 1953 COOLING APPARATUS Charles M. Nichols, Pittsburgh, Pa,

.assignor to Jones & .Laughlin Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 27, 1950, Serial No. 187,032

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the annealing of metal sheet and strip and is more particularly directed to the cooling phase of such annealing.

Flat rolled steel products such as sheet and strip are, as a rule, annealed at least once during their manufacture. Cold rolled products are almost always annealed after rolling, this annealing being conducted with the material protected by sealed covers to prevent oxidation of its surface. Annealing of both sheet and coiled strip is quite generally accomplished in covertype annealing furnaces, which comprise a fixed base supporting a charge and a removable outer cover which contains the heating means. The sheet or strip to be annealec is protected by an inner cover or covers which enclose the charge entirely and are sealed to the furnace base. The annealing cycle includes a heating period during which the furnace cover in position on the base over the protected charge and heat is supplied to bring the charge up to the annealing temperature. This is usually followed by a soaking period in which the supply of heat is greatly reduced or cut off altogether to permit the charge to acquire uniform temperature throughout. The final stage of the cycle is the cooling period in which the furnace cover is removed from the protected charge and the latter allowed to cool upon the furnace base, losing its heat to the surrounding air by natural cooling. During this cooling the furnace cover may be utilized for heating another charge on another base, but the furnace base supporting the cooling charge is of course unavailable for other purposes.

Air must be excluded from the charge by protective covers during the major portion of the cooling period. I have found that the rate of cooling of the charge so protected is considerably less than the maximum which could be attained without impairment of the properties of the annealed strip or sheet. If this cooling could be accelerated, the furnace base could be released to another charge in less time than is now reunited, and the production rate of a given number of units consequently could be increased.

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide an apparatus which increases the rate of cooling of a furnace charge under pretective covers. It is another object to provide such an apparatus which may be rapidly positioned on a furnace base and removed therefrom. Other objects will. appear in the course of the description of my invention.

I have invented a novel apparatus for cooling a furnace charge, which comprises a. shell open at top and bottom and adapted to enclose a charge in its protective covers on the furnace base. My apparatus is provided with means for drawing in air and directing it on the protective covers near their bases. This air cools the covers by convection and, absorbing heat from them, rises and escapes through the open top of my apparatus. My apparatus is adapted to be placed. upon the furnace base enclosing the charge when the furnace cover has been removed and, by facilitating the cooling of the charge, decreases the overall time of the annealing cycle. Thus, when used with conventional annealing furnace bases and covers, my apparatus appreciably in creases the annealing capacity of these facilities.

A present preferred embodiment of my invention adapted for the annealing of coiled strip is illustrated in the attached figures, to which reference is now made:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my apparatus, the position of the charge to be cooled being indi cated by broken lines;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of my apparatus:

Figure 3 is an end elevation of my apparatus showing its positioning on the furnace base; and.

Figure 4 is a detail section on the plane Iii- IV of Figure 1.

Coiled strip is conventionally disposed upon the furnace base for annealing in a group of positions, each of which may include several coils turned on end and stacked one above the other. From the plan view of my apparatus, Figure 1, it is seen that the charge on the furnace base indicated is arranged in eight coil positions disposed in two rows of four each. Each. coil position accommodates one, two or more coils stacked one above the other depending upon the Width of the coiled strip. The stacked coils in, each coil position are covered by a cylindrcal inner protective cover 1. The apparatus of my invention consists principally of a rectangular base structure I surmounted by upper side walls 2 and provided "with a superstructure 3 permit ting the entire apparatus to be picked. up and moved about by an overhead crane. The base section I has vertical side walls 4 on. all four sides, which terminate in a horizontal deck structure 5. Upon this deck structure are positioned the upper side walls 2 which comprise a series of connected arcuate shells 6 disposed and proportioned to enclose the protective covers I which in turn enclose the furnace charge. The space enclosed by the upper side walls 2 is divided longitudinally by a partition wall 3 also made up of connected arcuate shells m. This partition wall 8 extends between the two rows of protective covers and cooperates with the upper side walls 2 to provide each protective cover I as far as possible with an enclosure uniformly spaced therefrom. Neither the upper side walls 2 nor the partition wall 8 extends below the deck of my apparatus.

The superstructure 3 of my apparatus consists of a pair of cross beams I2-i2 supported by channels l3l3 at its ends and members 14-44 located intermediate its ends. The lower ends of channels l3 are attached to'the lower base structure I; the intermediate upright members it are attached to the arcuate shells ID of the partition wall 8. An upright eye I5 is located centrally on the cross beam I2 so as to cooperate with a crane hook and permit lifting of the entire structure. The superstructure 3 is suitably braced by gusset plates [8-46 and l'|-i'| as required, as well as angle members Iii-48.

The lower side Walls 6 of the base section I are provided with circular apertures 2s. The structure shown has three such apertures in each side and may have one or more, if desired, in each end, each aperture being located approximately opposite its corresponding aperture on the opposite side or end. These apertures 20 are located at positions intermediate adjoining pairs of inner protective covers I. Each aperture 29 is provided with a deflecting plate 2i which is inclined upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the aperture. In these apertures 28 are positioned motorciriven blowers or fans 22 adapted to draw air from outside the structure and direct it upon the inner protective covers '4' enclosed by the structure. The deflector plate 2 i at each aperture 2:] directs a stream of air upwardly and away from the junction of the inner protective covers I and the furnace base.

Although fans or blowers 22 are shown mounted along the two sides only of my apparatus in the figures, I find in many cases that cooling be further accelerated by additional fans mounted on the ends as well. Apertures ZO-a, indicated by broken lines in Figure 3, may be provided for these.

Each of two diagonally opposite corners of the base portion 5 of my apparatus is provided with outwardly extending brackets 25 supporting a short vertical sleeve 26 flaring outwardly at the a bottom to form a tapered entry 21. When the cover is lowered in place on the annealing furnace base 28, the entry ends 2'i-2l of these sleeves engage guide pins 2-23 located adjacent the furnace base. As the apparatus of my invention comes to rest on the furnace base 28, the sleeves 25-25 sliding over the guide pins 292i3 above mentioned position the apparatus of my invention properly with respect to the furnace base.

The operation of my apparatus with conventional cover type annealing furnaces requires no change in the initial stages of the annealing cycle. The coiled strip to be annealed is loaded onto the furnace base and covered with the inner protective covers conventionally used. The furnace cover is then lowered over the charge on the furnace base and the charge heated and permitted to soak in the usual manner. When the heating and soaking phases of the annealing cycle are concluded, the furnace cover is lifted off and at this point the use of my apparatus begins. My apparatus is lowered over the charge enclosed in the inner protective covers by a crane or other means, and positioned on the furnace base in sub- .4 stantially the same manner in which a furnace cover is placed in position. Its base structure i rests on the sand seal of the annealing base to prevent air from escaping between these two units. The motor-driven fans or blowers 22 are connected to a source of power and started up. These fans, as mentioned, draw in air at atmospheric temperature and direct it upon the exteriors of the inner protective covers enclosed within my apparatus. The deflector plates 2! deflect the air streams from these fans upwardly and away from the junction of the inner protective covers with the annealing furnace base. It is necessary that these air streams be deflected somewhat as the inner protective covers are sealed to the furnace base by sand or a similar granular substance, which would be blown away by the direct impingement of the air stream from the fans, thus breaking the seal and allowing air to find its way within the inner protective covers. The air streams from the fans 22 of my apparatus impinge against the exteriors of the inner protective covers I, removing heat therefrom by convection. This air exhausts itself upwardly through the open space between the inner protective covers and the upper walls 8 of my apparatus. It cannot escape elsewhere because of the deck 5 which closes the space between the base portion I and upper side walls 2, and the sand seal previously mentioned between my apparatus and the annealing base. Because of the urved contour of the upper walls 6 and the partition wall In of my apparatus, the air space between the inner protective covers 1 and the upper walls 5 and ill of my apparatus is roughly uniform around each protective cover. This condition assists in equalizing the distribution of the air stream from the fans about the exteriors of the inner protective covers and so promotes uniformity of cooling.

In the illustrated embodiment of my apparatus the upper side walls 2 are shown as terminating somewhat below the tops of the inner protective covers 1. I have found it unnecessary to construct these side walls to the full height of the inner covers. I have also found that a simplified and less expensive form of my apparatus will also operate with reasonable effectiveness. In this embodiment the upper side walls 2 and the partition wall 8, instead of being constructed from arcuate sections of plate, are formed of fiat plate or sheets. In this construction the air space surrounding each inner protective cover is considerably less uniform in cross-section area than that of my preferred embodiment, the result being that distribution of the air streams from the fans is less uniform. However, an apparatus constructed in this manner is well suited for the cooling of a furnace charge of piled sheets, which is enclosed in a rectangular protective cover having plane side walls. The arrangement of fans around the base of my structure may of course be varied from that illustrated if desired, although I find that the fans operate most efficiently at the locations indicated. I have illustrated exhaust fans as means for drawing in air from outside my structure and directing it upon the protective covers it encloses, but it will be understood that any conventional type of fan or blower may be employed for this purpose. These modifications and others which will occur to those skilled in the art may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Although I have described and illustrated the present preferredembodiment of my invention,

it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied or practiced within the scope of my claims.

I claim:

1. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge enclosed by a protective cover comprising a structure consisting of side walls only adapted to enclose the protective cover but spaced therefrom, at least one aperture in the lower portion of the side walls, and a fan mounted in this aperture adapted to draw in air from outside the structure and direct it upwardly along the surfaces of the protective cover.

2. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge enclosed by a group of generally cylindrical protective covers comprising a structure consisting of side walls only, having lower portions provided with a plurality of apertures therein, fans mounted in these apertures adapted to draw in air from outside the structure, and upper portions formed of connected arcuate sections conforming to the outer contour of the group of protective covers but spaced therefrom, the side walls being adapted and adjusted to direct the air induced by the fans over the surfaces of the protective covers.

3. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge of coiled material, the charge being grouped in a plurality of positions disposed in at least two rows, the coils in each position being enclosed by a cylindrical protective cover, comprising a structure adapted to be lowered into position over the group of protective covers and to rest on the furnace base, consisting of side walls only having upper portions formed of connected arcuate sections conforming to the outer contour of the group of protective covers, lower portions provided with a plurality of aper tures, fans mounted in these apertures adapted to draw in air from outside the structure, a vertical partition formed of a double row of concave-out connected arcuate sections, each such section being positioned opposite a corresponding arcuate section of a side wall, the side Walls and vertical partition being adapted and adjusted to direct the air induced by the fans over the surfaces of the protective covers.

4. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge of coiled material, the charge being grouped in a plurality of positions, the coils in each position being enclosed by a cylindrical protective cover sealed to the furnace base by loose granular material, comprising a structure consisting of side walls only adapted to be lowered into position Over the group of protective covers and to rest on the furnace base, the side walls being formed of connected arcuate sections conforming to the outer contour of the group of protective covers but spaced therefrom and provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent their lower edges, fans mounted in these apertures adapted to draw in air from outside the structure, and bafiie plates positioned at the bottom of these apertures sloping inwardly and upwardly to direct the air streams from the fans upwardly over the surfaces of the protective covers and away from the granular material around the bases of the protective covers.

5. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge enclosed by a group of cylindrical protective covers comprising a structure consisting of side walls only enclosing the group of protective covers and having lower portions provided with a plurality of apertures therein, fans mounted in these apertures adapted to draw in air from outside the structure, upper portions formed of connected arcuate sections conforming to the outer contour of the group of protective covers but spaced therefrom, adapted and adjusted to direct the air induced by the fans over the surfaces of the protective covers, and a member positioned longitudinally of the structure above the side Walls attached to the structure at a plurality of points and provided with means for engaging a crane hook, the structure being adapted for lifting on and off the furnace base by an overhead crane.

6. Cooling apparatus for use with a furnace base supporting a charge enclosed by a group of cylindrical protective covers comprising a structure consisting of side walls only formed of connected arcuate sections enclosing the group of protective covers but spaced therefrom, a plurality of apertures in the lower portion of the side walls, each aperture being positioned between adjacent connected arcuate sections, and fans mounted in these apertures adapted to draw in air from outside the structure and direct it upwardly along the surfaces of the protective covers.

CHARLES M. NICHOLS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,453,411 Small May 1, 1923 1,952,402 Wilson Mar. 2'7, 1934 2,137,868 Wilson Nov. 22, 1938 2,249,411 Woodson July 15, 1941 2,309,699 Huff Feb. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 252,405 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1926 497,480 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1938 

